Duties of a Forklift Driver
Lift truck drivers usually are employed in factories and warehouses. Their job is to move supplies and loads from one place to another. They must be trained to safely use the forklift controls. Specialized training is a requirement. Drivers must pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all lift truck drivers carry out a daily pre-shift lift truck check. Forklift operator training must comprise the correct performance of safety inspections to assure optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken on an annual basis.
Unloading and Loading
Lift truck operators perform tasks related to unloading and loading materials in a timely and safe way. This job also involves the stacking of supplies in an organized way so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
The duties of a lift truck driver could include weighing the supplies that are being transported and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift drivers are in charge of quality control. They should make certain orders are correct and that products do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
Lift truck operators must have great skills in both awareness and attention. Drivers have to be highly concerned with the safety of personnel and pedestrians. The operator must find the safest way to deal with difficulties, like navigating a steep surface with a load. The driver must determine the safest route to take. An operator's training would include learning about the forces which might cause a lift truck to tip over. The operator must be very familiar with the design and safety ratings of the lift truck unit which they are utilizing. A forklift driver must be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent exhaustion. Forklift accidents are more likely to occur when an operator is tired.